Development isn't linear, just because he was a 4/5 two seasons ago doesn't mean he isn't now. Over the past 3 season his even strength minutes and results have suggested he's a 4/5. I'm not saying he doesn't have room to grow, or that he's a bad player I'm simply suggesting it's factually incorrect to anoint him a top 4 player, when he's a 4/5. When I think of a top 4 guy I think of a player that's capable of anchoring a 2nd pair and being able to move up in the lineup when needed, like I suggested Jason Garrison is the epitome of a guy I consider a "top 4 dman"
That is not true at all. Development CAN be linear. To say it can't be as a definitive is wrong. In the case of Gudbranson it has been. He was a #4 because he was Florida's best option. They tried bringing in proven guys to push Gudbranson down the depth chart as he was young and was thrust into the role but he ended up outplaying each replacement by the end of their 1st year to have the team not re-sign them or have them play the role Gudbranson originally was pushed down to.
In the case of last season he kept progressing to the point he was considered the most reliable d-man on the team come playoffs. Why else would he receive the most ATOI and 2nd most EV ATOI over guys like Campbell and Ekblad?
Also again just because you think Garrison is the epitome of a top 4 d-man doesn't mean thats what a top 4 d-man has to be otherwise its just arbitrary and up to each individuals own personal opinion. In terms of facts, a top 4 d-man is a d-man that plays on either the 1st or 2nd pairing, playing top 4 minutes (18-20) and is seen as such by management. Gudbranson fits that to a T. He played on the 2nd pairing with Mitchell or Campbell when things were shuffled and was 4th in ATOI.
IMO Garrison is a 3. I think most would agree with me on that. There inlies why you seem to think Gudbranson isn't a 4 and is a 4/5. Also the fact you think a 4 should be able to carry a 2nd pairing. If a 4 could do that, why do good teams generally pay a lot to have a top 3 and then tend to have a below average 4 and a weak 5/6? a 4 can carry a 3rd pairing, he can't carry a 2nd pairing.